Head of Cyber Defense and Response

Our client is a leading life insurance provider, looking for an innovative, strategic, and highly skilled Head of Cyber Defense & Response to join their cybersecurity leadership team. This position will focus on driving the enterprise-wide cybersecurity defense strategy, ensuring effective protection against cyber threats, and leading a diverse, high-performing team of cyber defense professionals. You will be responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure, overseeing incident response, and ensuring a proactive, risk-based approach to managing the threat landscape. Your leadership will be crucial in shaping the company's cybersecurity capabilities, developing cutting-edge security solutions, and fostering a collaborative and high-impact environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an enterprise-wide cybersecurity defense strategy, focused on proactive threat mitigation across cloud, identity, network, web, endpoint, database, and data security.
• Stay ahead of emerging threats and adapt strategies to mitigate cyber threats across diverse platforms. Lead the identification, analysis, and management of threat vectors, ensuring defenses are continuously enhanced.
• Lead incident response and ensure efficient handling of security events and incidents. Oversee post-incident reviews and continuous improvement processes to enhance the overall security posture.
• Work closely with various stakeholders, including IT, legal, compliance, and executive leadership, to ensure that cybersecurity strategies align with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advanced security solutions across identity, data, cloud, and infrastructure security platforms. Ensure that all security systems and platforms are operating effectively to detect and protect against threats.
• Lead and mentor a diverse, high-performing team of cyber defense engineering professionals. Focus on recruiting top cybersecurity talent, setting clear goals, managing performance, providing career development opportunities, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Ensure that regular security audits and due diligence processes are in place. Lead efforts to maintain compliance with industry standards, cyber defense best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Define and enforce cyber defense standards, policies, and procedures that ensure effective detection, protection, and mitigation of cyber threats across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within enterprise cybersecurity, ideally in the financial services or insurance sectors.
• CISSP, CISM, or equivalent certifications required. Additional certifications like GIAC, AWS/Azure Security certifications, or SANS are highly desirable.
• Deep knowledge of threat vectors and mitigation strategies across infrastructure, cloud, web, and endpoint security.
• Proven ability to manage and inspire diverse, high-performing teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong background in security process improvement, change management, and developing security architecture.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working with senior executives and external partners to ensure alignment with security commitments and business objectives.